Cervical Radiculopathy Chiropractor & Physical Therapy Alamo TX | RGV

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Educational Disclaimer: This publication is for health education purposes only and does not constitute formal medical advice or guaranteed outcomes. Individual results vary. Direct clinical examination is required to determine eligibility for care.

The Neck Problem That Shows Up in the Arm

It is one of the most confusing clinical presentations we see at our Alamo facility: a patient walks in rubbing an intense "muscle knot" behind their shoulder blade, complaining that their triceps feel heavy, or shaking out their hand because their thumb and index finger feel numb.

They spent weeks digging lacrosse balls into their upper back, getting deep-tissue shoulder massages, or wearing arm braces in McAllen, Pharr, or Edinburg—yet the moment they try to push open a heavy door, reach overhead, or type for 10 minutes, the burning arm pain returns.

The reason those local shoulder and arm treatments fail is straightforward: the arm is simply the messenger. The starting point is a pinched nerve root in your neck. This condition is known medically as Cervical Radiculopathy.

"Your Arm May Not Be the Starting Point"

Your cervical spine contains seven vertebrae that protect critical nerve roots branching out into your shoulder blade, arm, forearm, hand, and fingertips. When a disc herniates, a facet joint degenerates, or whiplash trauma narrows the exit canal (*intervertebral foramen*), the nerve root gets compressed.

"That heavy feeling in your arm may not be an arm problem. We see this with people who feel tingling in the fingers, pain near the shoulder blade, or weakness when they try to lift, push, or grip. Do not keep treating it like a tight shoulder if the numbness or weakness keeps coming back. Sometimes the arm is where the warning signal shows up, but the source is a nerve being irritated near the neck. The arm is the messenger. The neck is the starting point."

Common Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

Depending on which specific cervical nerve root (C5, C6, C7, or C8) is compressed in your neck, symptoms manifest down different neurological highways:

• Scapular "Knot" Pain: A deep, burning ache along the inside border of your shoulder blade that massage cannot release.
• Radiating Arm Pain: A sharp, electric shock or dull ache traveling down your biceps, triceps, or forearm.
• Digital Tingling & Numbness: Pins-and-needles paresthesia mapping into your thumb and index finger (C6) or middle finger (C7).
• Motor Weakness: Sudden muscle collapse or shaking when attempting floor push-ups, overhead pressing, or carrying a heavy box.

The Open Window Method: Why Doing PT Immediately After Decompression Is Best

At South Texas Accident & Injury (located at 505 W Business Hwy 83 Ste 7 in Alamo, TX), we treat Cervical Radiculopathy using The Open Window Method—combining certified Cox® cervical decompression with immediate physical therapy nerve gliding:

CERVICAL COX® DECOMPRESSION → OPENS MOVEMENT WINDOW → IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL THERAPY NERVE GLIDING

Step 1: Certified Cox® Cervical Decompression ("Opening the Window")

Dr. Paul Sta. Juana, DC conducts gentle, doctor-guided Cox® Flexion-Distraction on the cervical spine. This rhythmic axial distraction lowers intradiscal pressure, opens the nerve root exit canal by up to 28%, and physically un-pinches the compressed nerve root—creating an immediate, pain-free "movement window."

Step 2: Immediate Neuromuscular Physical Therapy ("Locking In Recovery")

While your cervical nerve root is decompressed and pain-free, you step directly into our physical therapy bay under Liza Sta. Juana, PT. We guide you through upper extremity nerve gliding drills, deep cervical flexor activation, and scapular retractor strengthening—training your nervous system and posture muscles to keep that nerve window open permanently under daily load.

Serving Cervical Radiculopathy Patients Across the Rio Grande Valley

Located centrally at 505 W Business Hwy 83 Ste 7 in Alamo, TX 78516, our facility provides quick access off I-2 / US-83 for residents across the RGV:

Alamo • McAllen • Pharr • San Juan • Edinburg • Mission • Weslaco • Donna

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my arm pain is a shoulder problem or Cervical Radiculopathy?

If moving your neck, turning your head, or looking up reproduces the electric pain, tingling, or heaviness down your arm, the source is likely a pinched nerve root in your neck. Primary shoulder problems (like rotator cuff tears) typically hurt strictly when raising the arm, without causing numbness in your fingers. Our clinical team performs specific orthopedic and neurological tests during your exam to confirm the exact source.

Why is physical therapy performed immediately after Cox® cervical decompression?

Timing is everything. Cox® cervical decompression opens the intervertebral exit canal and un-pinches the spinal nerve root, creating an "open window." Performing physical therapy immediately afterward retrains the brachial plexus nerves to glide smoothly and strengthens your scapular stabilization muscles to maintain that alignment.

Do you accept car accident (LOP) attorney liens for neck and arm injuries?

Yes. If your cervical radiculopathy occurred during a car accident (such as severe whiplash impact), we accept cases under a Letter of Protection (LOP) with $0 out-of-pocket cost to you, working alongside your attorney while providing defense-grade medical records.